Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'addict'

English Word: addict

Key Russian Translations:

• наркоман [nərkɐˈman] - [Informal, Masculine, Refers to drug addiction]
• зависимый [zɐˈvʲisʲɪmɨj] - [Formal/Neutral, Masculine, Broader term for dependency]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in contexts of addiction or dependency)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "наркоман"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "зависимый" due to broader usage nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

наркоман: [nərkɐˈman]

Note on наркоман: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "о" is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed position.

зависимый: [zɐˈvʲisʲɪmɨj]

Note on зависимый: Stress on the second syllable; the soft "с" sound requires attention for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person addicted to drugs

Translation(s) & Context:

• наркоман - Commonly used for someone addicted to illegal drugs, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал наркоманом после нескольких лет употребления.

  He became a drug addict after years of use.

• Наркоманы часто скрывают свою зависимость от близких.

  Drug addicts often hide their dependency from loved ones.

• В этом районе много наркоманов, будь осторожен.

  There are many drug addicts in this area, be careful.

2. A person with a strong dependency (not necessarily drugs)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зависимый - Used for any type of addiction or dependency, including behavioral (e.g., gaming, social media).

Usage Examples:

• Он зависимый от компьютерных игр.

  He is addicted to computer games.

• Зависимые люди нуждаются в поддержке, а не в осуждении.

  Addicted people need support, not judgment.

• Она стала зависимой от социальных сетей.

  She became addicted to social media.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

наркоман (noun, masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	наркоман	наркоманы
Genitive	наркомана	наркоманов
Dative	наркоману	наркоманам
Accusative	наркомана	наркоманов
Instrumental	наркоманом	наркоманами
Prepositional	о наркомане	о наркоманах

зависимый (adjective, masculine): Declines as a standard adjective; agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. Feminine form: зависимая, Neuter: зависимое, Plural: зависимые.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for наркоман:

• токсикоман
• наркозависимый

Note: "токсикоман" often implies addiction to inhaled substances, while "наркозависимый" is more formal.

Synonyms for зависимый:

• подвластный
• привязанный

Antonyms for зависимый:

• независимый
• свободный

Related Phrases:

• наркоман со стажем - An experienced drug addict (often used ironically or derogatorily).
• зависимый от мнения других - Addicted to others' opinions (used for someone overly concerned with approval).
• борьба с наркоманией - Fight against drug addiction (common in social or policy contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "наркоман" is specifically tied to drug addiction and carries a stronger negative connotation than "addict" in English. Use it cautiously in polite conversation.
• "зависимый" is a more neutral and versatile term, suitable for various types of dependency, including non-substance addictions.
• When using "зависимый," it must agree grammatically with the noun it describes, unlike "наркоман," which is a standalone noun.

Common Errors:

1. Misusing "наркоман" for non-drug addictions:

Incorrect: Он наркоман от видеоигр. (He is a drug addict to video games.)

Correct: Он зависимый от видеоигр. (He is addicted to video games.)

Explanation: "наркоман" strictly refers to drug addiction. For other dependencies, use "зависимый."

2. Ignoring gender agreement with "зависимый":

Incorrect: Она зависимый от шопинга. (She is addicted to shopping, using masculine form.)

Correct: Она зависимая от шопинга. (She is addicted to shopping, using feminine form.)

Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the gender of the noun or pronoun they describe.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, drug addiction (наркомания) is a highly stigmatized topic, often discussed with strong disapproval. The term "наркоман" may evoke pity or disdain, so it is important to be sensitive when using it. On the other hand, "зависимый" can be used in more neutral or psychological contexts, reflecting a modern understanding of addiction as a condition rather than a moral failing.

Related Concepts:

• наркомания (drug addiction)
• зависимость (dependency)
• реабилитация (rehabilitation)